Policy & Research

Past Under Glass, 2005

During 2009 a major focus for Arts Access Victoria has been to demonstrate and emphasise the important contribution made by people with a disability to the national cultural agenda, through engagement with key issues at a policy level.

In 2008 a re-invigorated policy environment has highlighted disability strategies, legislative change and program initiatives promoting the inclusion of people with disabilities. These include the National Arts and Disability Strategy and ratification of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, and finally action on the draft Disability (Access to Premises Standard – Buildings) Standards.

At state level, there has been another key development with a cross-government approach. The Research into Arts and Disability project is an investigation into cultural participation of people with a disability.

Arts Access Victoria has played a leadership role in each of these important initiatives, gathering input from consumers and reflecting best practice inclusive arts approaches. In particular, we have joined forces with Arts Victoria to achieve a broader Victorian response for the National Arts and Disability Strategy consultation.

The key issues we have raised are:

• the lack of meaningful opportunities for people/ artists with a disability who face considerable barriers which include reduced access to creative arts experiences, arts education or career pathways in the arts;
• the ongoing resistance of the arts industry in offering access services such as audio-description, captioning and sign-interpreting for patrons who are Deaf or vision impaired;
• venues that continue to have poor or limited physical access for people with mobility impairments.

Arts Access Victoria is moving towards a new broad approach within an advantageous policy environment across the state, emphasising the importance of the contribution of people with a disability to the national cultural agenda.

Enquiries

For further information, or to discuss any aspect of the arts and access, please contact the Access Program Manager, on Tel 03 9699 8299, TTY 03 9699 7636 or Email info@artsaccess.com.au